Binary organ and coding system for operating same

ABSTRACT

A tone generating oscillator selectively generates any one of the twelve tones of the musical scale upon activation of a unique combination of four keys. Other keys are provided for generating the selected note in a higher or a lower octave. Each of the tones is assigned a particular character consisting of a graphical representation of the utilization of one or more of the four keys; and, in a particular musical theme, these characters are displayed in the sequence in which the tones they represent occur in said theme.

Unite tates Thompson atent [1 1 Aug.6, 1974 BINARY ORGAN AND CODING SYSTEM FOR OPERATING SAME 21 Appl. No.: 237,181

[52] US. (I1 8471.01, 84/1.17, 84/D1G, 20 [51] Int. Cl Glllh 1/00, G10h 5/00 [58] Field of Search 84/1.01, 1.17, DIG. 2,

84/DIG, 7, DIG. 8, DIG. 22, DIG. 23, 423, 424, 427, 440, 470, 471, 477, 478, 483, 485,

DIG. 20, 1.22

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,201,769 10/1916 Siege] 84/478 X 1,313,449 8/1919 Barker 84/478 1,338,236 4/1920 McNeil 84/485 1,400,947 12/1921 Fennel] 84/478 2,487,021 11/1949 Green 84/477 X 2,873,637 2/1959 Herold 84/DIG. 7

2,879,387 3/1959 Kahn 84/1.22 X 2,933,699 4/1960 Bonham 84/D1G. 20 2,962,922 12/1960 Cutler et a1 84/1 .01 3,430,530 3/1969 Grindinger 84/471 3,490,327 l/l970 Volpe 84/l.01 X 3,626,350 12/1971 Suzuki et a1. 84/D1G. 7 3,659,031 4/1972 Adachi 84/l.01

Primary ExaminerRichard B. Wilkinson Assistant ExaminerStanley J. Witkowski [57] ABSTRACT A tone generating oscillator selectively generates any one of the twelve tones of the musical scale upon activation of a unique combination of four keys. Other keys are provided for generating the selected note in a higher or a lower octave. Each of the tones is assigned a particular character consisting of a graphical representation of the utilization of one or more of the four keys; and, in a particular musical theme, these characters are displayed in the sequence in which the tones they represent occur in said theme.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENIEB MB 51974 sum a an;

|I|ll||||ll IIIIIIIIII Illlllullnlllllllllllllllllulll FIGS BINARY ORGAN AND CODING SYSTEM FOR OPERATING SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention has relation to the selective reproduction of each of the tones of a musical scale by the depressing of a limited number of keys; and to a system of musical notation for representing each such tone as a graphical representation of the particular key combination which will produce that tone.

Traditionally, in the western world, the twelve tones of the musical scale in each of the several octaves have been indicated on a bass clef and a treble clef, each consisting of five lines and four spaces, and the clefs being separated by two spaces and the imaginary line of Middle C." The various tones of the musical scale are indicated by the positioning of notes on these clefs together with a very complicated representation of sharps and flats at the left end of each clef on each line of the musical notation. In order to play a keyboard instrument, it has heretofore been necessary to understand and to commit to memory the entire system of musical notation. This necessity has inhibited and prevented the majority of the population from the enjoyment and comfort of personally reproducing music on such keyboard instruments by the reading of sheet music laid out in this usual system of musical notation.

Simplification of the usual and traditional musical notation has been attempted, as by assigning each of the keys of the keyboard instrument with a number and by writing the number in adjacent relationship to the musical notation on a sheet of music. Also, the usually rounded musical notes have been consituted in square or rectangular shapes to indicate that they are to be played as sharps or flats. Such shortcuts do not relieve the keyboard operator of the necessity to commit the'positioning of each of the numbered notes on the instrument keyobard to memory.

These difficulties with musical notation make it impossible for a novice to sight-read fast enough to operate a keyboard instrument to reproduce a musical theme at its proper speed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A tone oscillator which will reproduce the various tones of the musical scale when operably associated with the necessary predetermined various impedances or other stimuli is associated with a plurality of keys (four as shown herein) which, when depressed in different combinations, connect these predetermined impedances to the oscillator to produce each of the different musical tones.

To make it possible for a person completely unfamiliar with musical notation of any kind to depress the keys rapidly and in the proper sequence to reproduce a musical theme, representations of the key combinations are set out on a page in alignment with, for example, the syllables of the lyrics which are associated with the tones of the theme. In the form of the invention as shown, the four keys are illustrated with the key or keys to be depressed indicated by shading and with the key or keys to be left open indicated in blank.

By the use of divider circuits or other octave generator devices, and by the use of a plurality of octave switches, particular tones of the musical scale in octaves above or below the nominal operating octave of the organ can be obtained. As shown, representation of the octave keys is placed adjacentrepresentation of the tone keys, and activation or non-activation of the keys is indicated by the presence or absence of shading.

As shown a graphical representation of the time that each musical tone is to be sustained is also indicated adjacent the graphical representation of the tone keys. At this point in time, with more people aware of the system of time representation currently being used, the usual notes, including whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, dotted quarter notes, etc., ect., are illustrated.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a musical instrument of the present invention capable of reproducing all of the tones of the traditional musical scale in a three octave range;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the musical instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a chart showing one possible combination of keys to obtain each of the tones of a musical scale;

FIG. 4 is a representation of a portion of a musical theme in accordance with the system of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of various electronic components of the organ;

FIG. 6 is a diagramatic and schematic representation of a mechanical form of the Binary to Digital Converter block of FIG. 5; and 1 FIG. 7 is a diagramatic and schematic representation of an electronic form of the same Binary to Digital Converter block of FIG. 5.

DISCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A binary organ 10 includes a cabinet 11 having an audio section 12 and a keyboard 13. Obviously the elements of such an organ can be powered from an alternating current supply at 1 10 volts, or otherwise as desired and designed; but a simple embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be considered as powered by suitable batteries (not shown). Circuitry for the binary organ of the invention will include an audio oscillator schematically indicated at block 16. This oscillator will be such that the audio tone generated is dependent upon the impedance through which it receives its input signal. The signal is supplied through a binary to digital converter as indicated at block 18, two different forms of which are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively.

Tone selection keys 41, 42, 43 and 44 extend outwardly and upwardly from a keyboard 13 of the organ cabinet 11. They control the impedance through which a battery voltage V+ is supplied to oscillator block 16 in a manner to be described in connection with FIG. 6 and in the manner to be described in connection with FIG. 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, an electro-accoustic transducer or speaker 14 is driven by the tone generatoroscillator 16 to induce in the areas surrounding the speaker the audio frequency tone generated by the generator-oscillator. This connection can be directly from the oscillator 16 to the speaker 14 or to an amplifier 35 which feeds the speaker 14. Other sophisticated elements of a usual arrangement are illustrated for the purpose of putting the invention in context for those skilled in the art of electronic design, which the present inventor is not. For example, refinements in circuitry such as throat section 26; and vibrato section 24; and an attack and decay section 22 are shown; but the details of the circuitry have been supplied by others, and the inventor has no knowledge of the workings of such sections. Such circuitry is well known in the prior art, and citations to disclosures thereof sufficient to allow those skilled in the art to easily design such circuitry are the following.

As to throat circuitry, see the book Electronic Musical Instruments" published in January of 1971 by Norman H. Crowhurst, page 45 and following.

As to vibrato circuitry tremolo circuitry and a description of the design of circuitry to achieve proper attack and decay, see the same publication, pages 59 through 67 (circuits on vibrato and tremolo); pages 162 through 166, (attack and decay), and see page 127, FIGS. 62 illustrating tone growth and decay.

In another book by Norman H. Crowhurst, entitled ABCs of Electronic Organ published by R. W. Sams and Company, and copyrighted in 1962 and 1967, see page 81 on vibrato and tremolo circuits.

On octave generator circuits, see the following three citations:

1. Tone generators: an article entitled Twin Ts: De-

signs and Applications" by Fred B. Maynard in Electronics World Magazine for August 1968, page 35.

2. On Switching tone generator: an article entitled Circuit Keys Twin-Oscillator Without Generating Transients by Donald E. Johnson in the magazine Electronic Design of Aug. 16, 1969, beginning on page 246.

3. On Octave Generation: an article Designing a Digital Organ Tone Generator" also by Fred B. Maynard, and appearing as an application note No. AN424, published in August of 1969 by Motorola Semi-Conductor Products, Inc.

An anti-coincident section is illustrated in FIG. 5. This circuitry prevents any tone from being generated at the speaker 14 as long as any of the keys 41, 42, 43 or 44 are in a transitory position between being entirely released and completely depressed. In FIG. 6, and in FIG. 7, the dotted arrows illustrate a gang switch connection between each of the four keys and four separate switches in anti-coincident section 20. These switches are situated to be operative when the switches 51, 61, 71 and 81 in FIG. 6 are operated, and each has the normally closed upper contact and the normally open lower contact as illustrated in the aforementioned switches. The switch in the anti-coincident section 20 which corresponds to switch 51 can have its common terminal connected to a voltage source from the line 46, and the normally open and closed contacts of that switch can both be tied to the common terminal such as 61 of the second switch. The normally open and closed contacts of the second switch will be tied to the common terminal of the third switch such as 71, and its normally open and closed terminals are likewise tied to the common terminal of the fourth switch. The normally open and closed terminals of the fourth switch lead from the anti-coincident section 20 to a linkage with the input to amplifier 35 in such a manner that there can be an audio output from speaker 14 only when there is voltage applied to the line leading from the anticoincident section 20. It will be evident that movement of any one of the four switches 41, 42, 43 and 44 downward as seen in FIG. 6 will break the continuity of the voltage source through the four switches thus described, and this source will not be again connected to the output from anti-coincident section 20 until such time as the key is clear down so that the normally open terminal of the anticoincident switch is con tacted by the switch activating arm. When all of the keys are thus either firmly in the up or down position, the speaker 14 can operate and the tone selected by the positioning of the keys will be broadcast by the speaker 14.

When the tones to be generated are to extend to more than one octave, octave generator circuitry 28 is provided between oscillator block 16 and throat block 26. The octave generator block 28 will serve to double or halve the tone from oscillator block 16 under the control of octave switching circuitry 30 and octave switches 32 and 34.

In order to obtain any particular tone on the twelve note scale of music as customarily known in the western world, various combinations of keys 41 through 44 are depressed. A chart of the combinations to obtain each of these tones according to the present disclosure is set out in FIG. 3, wherein all four of the keys 41 through 44 are illustrated, with the keys which are to be depressed to obtain a certain tone being darkened, and the keys which are not to be depressed left in blank outline form. In order to indicate a particular tone of the musical scale to an operator of the binary organ of the invention, all that is needed is a visual representation of the four keys of the keyboard with the depressed keys marked differently from the keys which are not be depressed to obtain the particular tone. In the case of a melody which is easily associated with well known lyrics in the mind of the operator, this representation can most easily be shown immediately above or below the lyrics.

A portion of the lyrical and keyboard representation for the sone Edelweiss is shown in FIG. 4. Also shown in that figure is a representation of octave keys 32 and 34. Were the tones needed to reproduce the theme of Edelweiss to be in the octave above the nominal operating octave of the organ, the key 34 will be depressed, and this will be noted by a showing in darkened representation. Where notes below the nominal operating octave are to be used, key 32 will be depressed, and this will be illustrated in the musical notation by darkening that key on the representation in FIG. 4.

Any usual or preferred scheme of notation as to the length of time a particular tone is to be sustained can be used. As shown in FIG. 4, the presently accepted system is illustrated in the form of the usual musical notes. For example, the half note shown at the beginning of each of the lines of FIG. 4 is entitled to two beats, the quarter notes following are entitled to one beat, and the dotted half notes illustrated at the end of the top two lines are each entitled to three beats. As the system of the invention becomes more prevalent, other and simpler means of indicating the number of beats per tone will be used. For example, the number of beats can simply appear in Arabic notation above the graphical representation of the keyboard note.

While the binary organ as shown is useful in producing a melody line of one note at a time only, it is to be understood that it can easily be incorporated with other existing systems which can be operated to produce the harmony and cords, rhythm, and like effects. For example, one hand can be utilized to operate the four keys as is needed, with the thumb of the same hand being available to operate the octave keys when indicated. This leaves the left hand free to handle cords. These cords can be set up on a similar notation system, whereby a simple combination of keys would give any one of a large nubmer of cords, also within the scope of this invention.

By carrying the teaching of the invention further, selection of a particular tone through the use of the system and organ set out herein can, through further circuitry not shown, determine the automatic playing of a compatible cord, also within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims which follow.

OPERATION In order to operate binary organ 10, and assuming that the binary to digital converter block 18 is as shown in FIG. 6, an on-off switch 36 is activated, and a volume control 38 is set to produce the desired amplitude of sound.

As seen in FIG. 6, key 41 is operably connected to switch 51; key 42 is gang connected to switches 61 and 62; key 43 is gang connected to switches 71 through 74, and key 44 is gang connected to switches 81 through 88.

To play the musical tone presently represented by the note C" in thetraditional system of notation, the chart of FIG. 3 indicates that key 42 is to be depressed. It is to be noted that this is the first note of the song Edelweiss as illustrated in FIG. 4. Upon the depressing of this key 41, a circuit is set up which carries the voltage V+ from a line 46 through switch 51 the lower contact of switch 61, through normally closed contacts of switches 72 and 83 to a resistance element which is indicated by the symbol C, and from there through a line 48 tooscillator block 16. The value of the resistance element C" is such that the oscillator will generate the particular tone associated with that note.

Since neither of the octave switches will be depressed in order to obtain this tone for the note C above middle C, the tone generated will pass through the octave generator without change and will be allowed through the throat block 26 in accordance with the dictates and modifications of anti-coincident block 20, attack block 22, and vibrato block 24, arriving at the amplifier 35 and proceeding from there to the speaker 14.

When the tone representing the note C has been sustained for two beats, for example, key 42 will be released and keys 41 and 44 will be depressed to achieve sounding of the tone associated with the note E flat." As shown in FIG. 6, this means that switch 51 is depressed to connect voltage V+ to its lower contact, this voltage will be carried through the normally closed contact of switches 62 and 73, and through the lower contact of depressed switch 85 to the resistance labeled E flat, and from there through line 48 to the audio oscillator 16. According to the notation of FIG. 4, this note will be sustained for one beat and then the keys released.

The next tone in the sequence as seen in FIG. 4 calls for all four keys to be depressed, and, according to the chart of FIG. 3, will result in the sounding of the tone associated with the note B flat of the traditional notation system. The circuitry for this note includes passage through the lower contacts of switches 51, 62, 74 and 88 to impress voltage V+ on the resistance element labeled B flat. This results in generation of the audio tone for that note by the oscillator 16.

Other tones associated with the other notes of the musical scale are obtained through the circuitry shown and in the same manner as described.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in which the binary to digital converter block is disclosed as electro-mechanical in nature, the voltage V+ is impressed on a common terminal of switches 91, 92, 93 and 94 through line 46, and these switches are operably connected to keys 41, 42, 43 and 44 respectively.

As shown, two identical binary coded decimal-todecimal decoders are used to convert the coded input from switches 41 through 44 to an output associated with the twelve musical tones of the scale. As shown, a first such decoder 95 is shown to be of the type known as MC77OP, and a second decoder 96 is shown to be of the same type. A schematic representation of the circuitry of these decoders is set out in FIG. 7 with the pin numbers assigned by the manufacturer, Motorola Semiconductor Products Inc., being indicated. Details of the operation of these decoders can be found on Motorola specification sheet of July of 1969, designated PLASTIC mW MRTL Sheet 9.3 R1."

A normally closed contact of switch 91 associated with key 41 is connected through line to pin 14 of decoder 96. The normally open contact of switch 91 is connected through line 161 to pin 14 of decoder 95. The normally open contact of switch 92, associated with key 42 is connected through line 162 to pins 15 and decoders 95 and 96. The normally open contact of switch 93 is connected through line 163 to pins 11 of decoders 95 and 96, while normally open contact of switch 94 is connected through line 164 to pins 12 of these decoders.

A plurality of transistors 101 through 112, fixed resistors 121 through 132, and variable resistors 141 through 152 are electrically associated in such a way as to connect oscillator 16 back through line 48, through one each of the transistors, fixed and variable resistors to ground. The value of the particular fixed and variable resistor connected between the oscillator and ground determines the musical tone which will be generated by the oscillator. The particular musical tone generated by a particular combination of resistors is indicated in alignment of each set of resistors to the right thereof in FIG. 7.

The decoders cooperate with the keys 41 through 44 and their associated switches 91 through 94 to feed the voltage V+ to the transistor associated with the particular musical note desired in accordance with the operation of the keys according to the code set out in the chart of FIG. 3. Several examples will suffice to illustrate this operation of the parts.

When it is desired to generate the tone associated with a note C, key 42 will be depressed to feed the voltage V+ through switch 92 to line 162 and the pins 15 of decoders 95 and 96. As fully expalined in the Motorola specification sheet above identified, the presence of voltage V+ through the normally closed contact of switch 91 and line 160 on the pin 14 of decoder 96 prevents any signal from appearing on any of the output pins of that decoder until such time as key 41 is depressed. Therefore, the voltage is effective only on pin 15 of the first decoder 95, and this results in a path being set up to its pin 6, causing conduction through transistor 104, effectively connecting the oscillator through line 48, variable resistor 144, fixed resistor 124, and the transistor 104 to ground. This results in the generation in the oscillator of the tone associated with the musical note C.

To generate the tone associated with the note G flat, keys 41, 43 and 44 are depressed, as indicated in FIG. 3. This disconnects the voltage V+ from the normally closed contact of switch 91, connects it through the closed contact of that switch, through line 161, to pin 14 of first decoder 95, thus insuring that no signal appears on any of its pins. The voltage V-I- passing through the normally open contacts of switches 93 and 94 and through lines 163 and 164 respectively to pins 11 and 12 of the second decoder 96 will cause a voltage output to be impressed on pin 7 of the second decoder, causing transistor 110 to effectively connect the oscillator 16 through resistors 130 and 150 to ground.

While the oscillator circuitry can be designed in many different ways and have many different values, a typical circuit can employ transistors 101 through 112 of the type known as 2N4l24, or equivalent. Resistors 141 through 152 are variable trimming resistors as shown, in order to obtain the precisely correct tone. Typical values of these resistors and of fixed resistors 121 through 132 are shown in the chart below.

Resistor l2l I50 ohms Resistor I4I 50 ohms Resistor I22 390 ohms Resistor I42 200 ohms Resistor I23 2000 ohms Resistor I43 500 ohms Resistor I24 450 ohms Resistor I44 200 ohms Resistor I25 I200 ohms Resistor I45 500 ohms Resistor I26 3000 ohms Resistor I46 I000 ohms Resistor I27 9I0 ohms Resistor I47 200 ohms Resistor I28 240 ohms Resistor I48 50 ohms Resistor I29 470 ohms Resistor I49 I ohms Resistor I30 2200 ohms Resistor I50 500 ohms Resistor I31 I500 ohms Resistor II 500 ohms Resistor Resistor I52 200 ohms I32 I000 ohms The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An electronic musical instrument for generating more than four tones, said instrument including:

a. a tone generator-oscillator;

b. a different input element connectable to said generator-oscillator for each tone to be generated;

c. said generator-oscillator being capable of generating a different particular audio frequency when connected to a particular one of said input elements;

(1. an electro-accoustic transducer driven by the oscillator;

e. four keys; and

f. switch means operated by the four keys and capable of connecting a different one of said input elements to said generator-oscillator for each particular combination of the activation of said four keys.

2. An electronic musical instrument for generating twelve tones, said instrument including:

a. a tone generator-oscillator;

b. twelve different input elements connectable to said generator-oscillator;

c. said generator-oscillator being capable of generating a different particular audio frequency when connected to a particular one of said input elements;

d. an electro-accoustic transducer driven by the oscillator;

e. four keys; and

f. switch means operated by the four keys and capable of connecting a different one of said twelve elements to said generator-oscillator for each of twelve particular combinations of the activation of said four keys.

3. An electronic musical instrument for generating twelve tones including:

a. a keyboard having four keys;

b. a tone generator-oscillator having an electrical audio-frequency signal output;

c. an electro-accoustic transducer driven by the generator-oscillator; and

d. circuit means for causing said generator-oscillator to oscillate at one of the twelve precisely selected preselected audio-frequencies, said circuit means including:

1. a voltage source;

2. a plurality of impedance elements each having a precisely preselected accurately predetermined impedance value; and

3. control means for selectively connecting said voltage source to said generator modified by specific ones of said impedance elements, said control means including:

a. said four keys;

b. a plurality of switches, each associated with one of said keys, said switches being electrically between said source and said generator; and

c. a plurality of circuit paths each established responsive to a particular pattern of manipulation of one or more of said keys, said circuit paths each including at least one of said switches for connecting a particular combination of impedance elements with said voltage source and said generator-oscillator for generation of a particular tone.

. 4. The musical instrument of claim 3 and an octave generator connected to the tone generator, said octave generator being operative to cause said generated oscillations to be halved and to be doubled before being projected into the air as audible signals, and octave control means including at least two additional keys, said octave control means being operative to cause said octave generator selectively to halve and double the generated oscillations responsive to the operation of said two keys. 

1. An electronic musical instrument for generating more than four tones, said instrument including: a. a tone generator-oscillator; b. a different input element connectable to said generatoroscillator for each tone to be generated; c. said generator-oscillator being capable of generating a different particular audio frequency when connected to a particular one of said input elements; d. an electro-accoustic transducer driven by the oscillator; e. four keys; and f. switch means operated by the four keys and capable of connecting a different one of said input elements to said generator-oscillator for each particular combination of the activation of said four keys.
 2. An electronic musical instrument for generating twelve tones, said instrument including: a. a tone generator-oscillator; b. twelve different input elements connectable to said generator-oscillator; c. said generator-oscillator being capable of generating a different particular audio frequency when connected to a particular one of said input elements; d. an electro-accoustic transducer driven by the oscillator; e. four keys; and f. switch means operated by the four keys and capable of connecting a different one of said twelve elements to said generator-oscillator for each of twelve particular combinations of the activation of said four keys.
 2. a plurality of impedance elements each having a precisely preselected accurately predetermined impedance value; and
 3. An electronic musical instrument for generating twelve tones including: a. a keyboard having four keys; b. a tone generator-oscillator having an electrical audio-frequency signal output; c. an electro-accoustic transducer driven by the generator-oscillator; and d. circuit means for causing said generator-oscillator to oscillate at one of the twelve precisely selected preselected audio-frequencies, said circuit means including:
 3. control means for selectively connecting said voltage source to said generator modified by specific ones of said impedance elements, said control means including: a. said four keys; b. a plurality of switches, each associated with one of said keys, said switches being electrically between said source and said generator; and c. a plurality of circuit paths each established responsive to a particular pattern of manipulation of one or more of said keys, said circuit paths each including at least one of said switches for connecting a particular combination of impedance elements with said voltage source and said generator-oscillator for generation of a particular tone.
 4. The musical instrument of claim 3 and an octave generator connected to the tone generator, said octave generator being operative to cause said generated oscillations to be halved and to be doubled before being projected into the air as audible signals, and octave control means including at least two additional keys, said octave control means being operative to cause said octave generator selectively to halve and double the generated oscillations responsive to the operation of said two keys. 